Goal:
Finish training for my first marathon at Marshall University to take place on November 10.
Preview:
Decided to work back into distance with my local loop that I start right from home.These hills around where I live are unforgiving. Quad and shin-punishing, to be sure. Ugh...
Having taken the last two weeks off to let my body continue to catch up to my training aspirations, and to attend the Columbus Marathon cheering on my girlfriend Emme who was running her first full, I was more than ready to get back out there.
The skies were fair and the temps were barely breaking 40. So I ate a healthy breakfast and tossed the only gel I could find in my pocket, geared up, and headed out with a 20 oz. water bottle.
Result:
13.1 miles, 2:18. Left foot felt great, and so did my joints for the most part. Breathing, hydration, and energy level was great. Ran a decent amount in the first 2/3 and felt pretty good. That's when the cramping started. My right upper quad began seizing up every 50 yards of running, and I was thus relegated to walking 100 after each 50 until I reached the end point. Also, my left shin had stiffened to the point where my knee was throbbing on every descent. It's ironic, because I have all this energy and can't seem to use it. I send the commands to my legs and they won't respond. I've tought myself to do other things over the years, and I WILL do this competitively, even if I have to beat myself into submission!
Conclusions: When I actually get on a flat course, I honestly expect to do a half in under 2 hours, simply because there just aren't hills on race courses like the ones where I live. Well, unless you're on a trail, and then it's not pavement or concrete, and even the best are slowed to 10+ minute miles. I'm not all that concerned about my joints and muscles in the long run.
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